Power-generating device.



P'ATENTED APR. 24, 1906.

D. C. TUBES. POWER GBNERATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED N0V`121904r4 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.-

n inventor Jean 050555 atroz/m PATENTED APR. 24, 1906,

D. O. TUBES. POWER GENERATING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED N0v.1z.1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

DEAN CLARK TUBBS, OF ROCHESTER, NEV YORK.

POWER-GENERATING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented .April 24;, 1906.

Application tiled November 12,1904. Serial 110,232,543.

To /LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DEAN CLARK TUBBs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Power-Generating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rowing mechanisms for boats, and has for its object to produce a comparatively simple inexpensive device of this character which may be readily applied to the various types of rowboats now in general use and one wherein the propelling power is ineasurably increased, while at the same time the exertion on the part of, and consequently the fatiguiiig of, the oarsnian is decreased.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the class mentioned in which the parts may be readily adjusted for varying the length of the stroke and to accord with the size ofthe operator.

To these ends the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section through a rowboat having my improved mechanism applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the improved seat. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the saine. Fig. 5 is a detail view, partly in vertical section. Fig. is a detail view of one of the foot-rests.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a boat of the usual oi any appropriate construction and material, provided with a rear deck or seat 2 and having a supplemental bottom or flooring 3, provided with a central longitudinal opening or slot 4.

Attached to the flooring or bed 3 are oppositely-disposed bearings 5, arranged in pairs and adapted for the reception of journals 6, carried by the seats 7, which are pivotally niounted for rocking or swinging movement in a vertical plane and with a pair of which the boat is in the present instance equipped, it being understood that in practice the num ber of seats employed may be varied as desired.

Each seat is provided with a removable back S and has a central depending arm or portion 9 pivotally connected at its lower end with a rigid connecting rod or element 10, extending longitudinally of the boat inimediately beneath the slot 4 and in turn connected at its rear end with the seat or deck 2 by means of a link 11, there being arranged upon the rod 10 and at appropriate points in rear of and remote from the seats 7 foot-rests oi cleats 12, secured in place by set-screws or other fastening devices 13, whereby they may be readily adjusted longitudinally of the rod toward and from the seats 7.

Disposed as usual upon the guiiwale of the boat and at suitable points in reai of the seats are oar-locks 14, designed to receive oars 15, whichin the present instance are provided with castings or clevisos 16, each having a series of spaced pcrforations 17, which permit of cables or other suitable flexible traction elements 1S being attached to the oars. The traction elements 18 are arranged in pairs threaded, respectively, through guides 19, provided at opposite sides of the seats, and are connected in rear of the latter to an engaging member or ring 20, adapted for engagement with any one of a series of hooks or analogous devices 21, carried by castings 22, attached to the seat-backs, attention being directed to the fact that the hooks 21 are spaced vertically and that by engaging the ring 2() with different hooks the active lengths of the cables 1S may be varied for governing the stroke or sweep of the oars 15.

In practice as the operator moves back and forth in stroking with the oars the seats or seats 7 will rock on their pivots, and during the forward movement of the seats power will be applied to the oars through the inedium of the cables 1S, it being thus apparent that the motive power is derived through the movements of the operators body and that the operators arms are relieved of all strain except that which is necessary in dipping the oars in the water. It is further apparent that where the boat is equipped with a pair' of seats, as illustrated herein, their movement will be uniform and simultaneous, owing to their being connected by the rod 10, which subserves the further function, in connection with the foot-rests 12, for transmitting inotion to the seats from and utilizing the power of the operators limbs.

Frein the foregoing it is apparent that I produce a simple eflicient device admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends in View, it being understood that minor changes therein may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

ICO

IIO

Having thus fully described the invention, What is claimed as neW is- 1. In a device of the class described, a pivoted seat, a plurality of relatively spaced engaging devices carried thereby, a pair of propeiling members arranged respectlvely on opposite sides of the seat, flexible traction elements engaged With the propelling members, and a coupling member for connecting the ends of the traction elements, said coupling member being adapted for engagement With any one of the engaging members to connect the elements with the seat.

2. In a device of the class described, apivoted seat, a plurality of vertically-spaced engaging hooks carried thereby, a pair of pro'- pelling members arranged respectively on opposite sides of the seat, {ieXible traction elements engaged With the propelling members, and a coupling-ring for connecting the ends of the traction elements, said ring being adapted for engagement with any one of the hooks to connect the elements with the. seat.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DEAN CLARK TUBES.

Witnesses:

M. M. TAIT, C. H. JAMESON. 

